Does the 2003 XJR have a "sealed transmission" - I have read conflicting information on that. The reason I'm asking:

I just received a pre-purchase inspection report on the 2003 XJR that I'm considering purchasing. It has 42,000 miles (67,000 Km) and the power steering and transmission fluids were rated "fair" and the brake fluid as "fail". Can anyone give me an idea of how involved it is to change these fluids? Everything else checks out well, and there were no drivability problems reported.

Any information would be helpful and appreciated. Thanks again

JF

 

My 2003 XJR has a "sealed transmission" meaning there is a plug on the top of the dipstick that takes a tool to remove. There is no dipstick in the car, but one can be purchased on the net for about $125.00. The transmission on this XJR is actually a Mercedes Benz transmission, and is very different from a non-supercharged car. It is the same transmission that MB put in my 12cyl SL600. A fluid change is really expensive at the dealer, but should not be required until 100k miles. I would really doubt the fluid is fair. I would ask the inspector how he or she checked the fluid, because it is not easy. If they don't describe the plug, etc, they probably did not. I am getting ready to change the fluid on my 99 xjr, which just passed 100k. I don't have the dipstick, so I am going to pump out what ever I can through the dipstick tube into a water jug, mark the level with a marker, and dispose of the fluid. Then I will fill the jug back up to the same mark with new fluid and pour it back down the tube. I know I won't get all the fluid, but I will do it every year from here on out, and will be better off that if I did not do it. As for the power steering fluid, while I don't know how I would change it, I can't believe it is dirty either.

 

a source for fluid at $15 quart is
http://catalog.worldpac.com/ibusines...rt=A%2FT+Fluid

 

Thanks - As it turns out, the dealer said the inspector was clueless and that the Jag just had it's 40,000 mile inspection at a Jag dealer, and no issues with the fluids were noted. I'll have it checked by my own Jag mechanic when (and if) I get it. Interesting that the only way to check the fluid is with a special tool, which I highly doubt the inspector or the dealer would have had on hand.

 

My experience on my 02 R with 78K when bought that was running perfectly;
1. Change ALL fluids...the Mercedes 722.6 tranny will last for ever IF you change out the fluid...or it'll crap out at 100-120K with the sealed for life, (my ***) treatment. Same for the diff by the way!!!
2. Fluid to use is NOT Febi...it's Mercedes ATF 236 MB part no. is A001 989 2103-10. You MUST NOT USE ANY OTHER FLUID....they are not mix compatible although some MB fluids are.
3. At 78K I dropped the tranny oil pan, changed the filter, cleaned the magnet/pan and exchanged 4 liters of fluid...you can get a dipstick on ebay for $30.00 I also got 6 liters of Mercedes Fluid and a filter for $75.00 delivered off ebay...search.
4.At 85K service I exchanged another 3 liters of fluid without opening the pan...and will do the same at 90K and 95K at which point I should be running very clean fluid.

At 78K the fluid was dark brown and needed changing...do NOT leave this tranny unserviced...their is nothing remotely difficult about doing it...but these cars were marketted to folks who are barely capable of handwashing a car let alone changing their own oil....or keeping these cars beyond 40-50K!!!

 

Thanks for the info...I was getting ready to do the same with mobil1, but I will wait and get some from ebay.

 

Considering the Jag has 42,000 miles, would you change all fluids immediately? Unfortunately I will not be doing this myself, but I do have an independent mechanic so I don't have to rely on the Jag dealer to do it for millions of dollars per hour.

 

42K is low mileage...NICE...
So no...no emergency...BUT I would take my cues from the rest of the car's service history....at 40K it certainly should have had Brake Fluid....OK to go to 60K on the diff IMHO but check for leaks. I would do the tranny by 60K also...but get the dipstick and at least see what color/smell it is...should be red and clear...ANY hint of brown and I would start changing it out.

 

Thanks for the help and advice- I am going to attempt to get the service history, and I'll get my mechanic to give it a thourough checkover. I am also getting an extended warranty. I'll post some pics when it arrives

j./

 

I did an ebay search for "Jaguar Transmission dipstick" and only came up with 2 matches, neither for an XJR. Do you have any leads? or perhaps just keep checking?

Thanks

j./

 

Do you need to pick up the special tool to remove the top plug to make use of the dipstick or is there a way one can remove it without the tool?

 

Just ordered one last night on ebay from a mercedes dipstick supplier...search 722.6 .... I asked him if it was the correct dipstick for XJRs and he said while he did not know, that many xjr owners buy them and nobody has ever complained. I have the Mercedes that needs it as well, so I am taking a chance. I will let you know when it arrives. It was about $30.00.

here is what I ordered
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWNX%3AIT

 

also somebody on the net sells the plugs ...a few dollars...

 

john...that's the correct item...when you use it it does not go all the way in....which is correct.

 

Excuse my ignorance, but what are the plugs for? Or are you talking about spark plugs? If so, I do know what spark plugs are for

As for the dipstick, the listing on ebay says the seller does not offer "international" shipping, and I have asked if that includes Canada.

Thanks again

j./

 

By plugs I mean the cap that goes onto the top of the "sealed" dipstick. There is a plastic cap with a plastic lock type deal that you can buy to replace the one that you removed when you checked the fluid.

 

you do not really need to replace the dipstick plug...once you break the tamper seal you can replace the plug with it's seal in the top of the dipstick tube once you are done and it fits very snug...it ain't going anywhere!

 

Thanks for all the info - I'm sure this will be clear to my mechanic. I appreciate the help guys!

 

In the XJR/M-B gearbox you can also drain the torque converter, which will add the total drainable to around 8,5 liters(IIRC).

Btw pjkbrit, you mentioned _not_ to use Febi ATF. I'd like to know your arguments agains Febi? I have used Febi ATF Nr. 22806, which is generally used among M-B enthusiasts for these gearboxes - it even has a replacement code of 01 989 21 03/236.10 printed on the can.